Centre sends experts to Punjab to assess white fly pest attack on cotton

NEW DELHI: The agriculture ministry is sending a team of experts to Punjab where cotton crop in at least three districts has come under the attack of whitefly pest.

A government statement said whitefly has attacked cotton farms in Fazilka, Mansa and Bathinda districts of the state.

"The ministry has constituted a five-member team under chairmanship of SN Sushil, plant protection advisor, Directorate of Plant Protection and Quarantine, to visit the affected areas within two days. The team will make an assessment and submit the report thereon," the statement said.

The ministry had earlier asked cotton producing states to take necassary measures to protect their crops from whitefly, which had in 2015 caused widespread damage to cotton plants in Punjab and Haryana.

Of the 4.50 lakh hectare under cotton in Punjab, about 1.36 lakh hectare was hit by whitefly, which led to a 40% fall in the state’s cotton output in 2015.